Tuesday, January 3, 2012

New Year's Resolution = Need Your Input

Call it my New Year’s resolution; call it refocusing; call it whatever you want but I need your input, advice, and help.

I know I mentioned it before but I am going to actually ask this time. What are some things you’d like to see more of at Borderlands? Keep in mind it’s just me and my time is pretty limited. Would you like to see more pictures, less of my rambling, more links to other educational blogs/websites?

What are some good fundraiser ideas you can think of that we could possibly do at Borderlands? I’m looking for all kinds of ideas but please don’t be offended if we don’t use your idea right away. They are all fantastic ideas but there is a limit to what I can do (at least right now).

I’ve already received a few fundraiser ideas from some of you and I’m very thankful and already brainstorming/working on getting these fundraisers started. But I’d like to spend 2012 educating people about horses, horse slaughter, and the need for retirement homes for old warriors.

I know it’s not feasible to do one fundraiser a month but it would be nice to have one or two really big fundraisers this year. I have a few ideas of where the funds would go if we were able to raise money. I’ve been tossing around some ideas in my head for a while and I think it would help the community in the long run to apply those funds.

So here’s my request to you: What are some fundraiser ideas Borderlands Horse Sanctuary could do this year? I’m also looking for people to help with fundraising and marketing so that we can better spread the news of where the horse industry currently stands. You don’t have to have any background in either area; just a drive to get the word out about the plight of the horse.

Also, I found out that there will be a horse auction Friday January 20th at the Mitchell Sale Barn. Would anyone like to go with me? I’d love the company and hate going alone. I’ve never twittered before but I’m also considering twittering the sale (if I can figure out how to twitter by then). Do you think people would be interested in me twittering an auction? I don’t know exactly what I would be doing (technologically stupid). I know some people simply can’t attend an auction. They are emotionally draining but maybe we could get more people involved that wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise? Or am I just wasting time? What are your thoughts?

I’m going to start asking you all for feedback. I’d really like to spread the word about horses and the only way to do that is with your help. I’ve reopened the blog for comments but if you do leave a comment, please include your name instead of Anonymous. I realize if you aren’t a “follower", silly blogger shows you as “anonymous” but I’d really like to meet everyone so please include your name. I like to know who I’m talking to.

Don’t forget that we also have a Facebook page. I tend to blabber about the horses on there too. I’m typically faster in responding to Facebook comments than I am blogger comments. But the more input, advice, etc. you provide, the better we all can promote horses and their well-being.

Thanks for all your help and happy brainstorming!

5 comments:

  1. Are you a 501c3 for those donations and contributions to be tax deductible?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unfortunately no we are not yet nonprofit. We are still working on our paperwork so everything we do currently is considered private. I had high hopes of being 501c3 by now but that's what I get for planning.

    I realize asking for donations/contributions currently is a bit touchy. I completely understand if people would prefer to hold off until we are officially non-profit but I don't want to hold off on spreading awareness about the horse industry.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Don't forget, please include your name. I'd prefer to know who I'm talking with especially as I've had some odd comments in the past from Anonymous users. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. There are anonymous donors, myself included that would be willing to help, IF you were a legitimate 501c3 Charity.

    I came across your blog through a search engine. But will not donate to a cause that is not even making the effort to get the paperwork in needed to make the organization worth donating too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous - I totally understand your feeling and completely agree that it should be up to the donor. There are plenty of non-profit rescues that could use your donations. I'm not yet prepared as you've pointed out and as such leave it to people to donate where they want. I have told people I'm not yet non-profit and some have said they will wait. I am not trying to pressure people in to donating, just trying to spread the word about horses. At this point, any monies coming in would be earmarked for a euthanasia clinic for the public and not directly into the sanctuary.

    I do understand where you are coming from and suggest that everyone do their research when donating to rescues both private and non-profit. I work full time to cover the costs of the sanctuary and have limited time in figuring out the necessary paperwork and fees needed to become non-profit.

    I do ask that everyone do their research when donating. If you don't feel comfortable donating to a rescue be it private or non-profit, find another rescue. There so many, many well organized rescues that have years of experience under their belts. There's no hard feelings in waiting to donate to a rescue that has not yet filed all their paperwork.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.